RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSEHOLD ACCESS TO FOOD AND MALNUTRITION IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

This review paper gives an overview of the relationship between househ old access to food and malnutrition using national level data in the E astern and Southern Africa Region. The overall prevalence of malnutrit ion amongst the under-five population have not changed significantly o ver the decade and, in some cases, have deteriorated. The situation of household access to food differs between economies and production sys tems, but most households (average of 80%) in the region do not have a ccess to adequate food. A preliminary analysis of the determinants of malnutrition at country level pointed to the importance of: financial access to food (an indicator of household access to food) and; access to safe water (an indicator of household healthy environment), as the most significant variables predicting rates of malnutrition. Several a reas for action by governments in the region and for further study wit hin the subject of household access to food are delineated. These are: more clear determination of the relative contribution of household ac cess to food, to the nutritional status of women and children and, imp roved analysis of indicators of household access to food.